
Margaritaville Island Hotel
Best for travelers who want resort services, on-site dining and easy access to Pigeon Forge attractions and a rooftop pool deck.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Margaritaville Island Hotel is a 4-star, family-friendly resort on The Island in Pigeon Forge with a rooftop pool, full-service spa, and on-site restaurants. Little Bear by Jackson Mountain Rentals is a 3-star Smoky Mountains cabin managed by a local rental company in Gatlinburg for travelers who want a quieter, self-catered stay near park access.
Updated · about 7–8 mi apart

Best for travelers who want resort services, on-site dining and easy access to Pigeon Forge attractions and a rooftop pool deck.

Best for visitors who want a private cabin-style stay managed by a local rental company near Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains access.
When Margaritaville Island Hotel wins: choose Margaritaville if you want full-service hotel conveniences — a staffed front desk, on-site restaurants and bars, a full spa, a rooftop heated pool with cabanas and easy walking access to The Island entertainment complex.
When Little Bear by Jackson Mountain Rentals wins: pick Little Bear if you prefer a privately accessed cabin-style unit with a kitchen, private patio/balcony and lower-key lodging closer to Gatlinburg and some trail/park access without resort crowds.
Bottom line: both properties work for Smoky Mountains getaways, but they suit different trip styles — Margaritaville for resort amenities and proximity to Pigeon Forge attractions; Little Bear for a quieter, self-catered Gatlinburg base managed by a local rental company.
| Category | Margaritaville Island Hotel | Little Bear by Jackson Mountain Rentals |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Resort-style, themed (Margaritaville) with lively public spaces | Individually decorated cabin managed by Jackson Mountain Rentals; quiet and self-contained |
| Location | The Island, Pigeon Forge (steps from shops, rides, fountain) | Gatlinburg neighborhood (440 Matterhorn Drive), nearer to Great Smoky Mountains access |
| Size | 129 rooms (hotel property) | Not published |
| Ages / policy | All ages welcome; lead guest must be 21+ to check in | All ages welcome; minimum age to book/check in not published |
| Pools & hot tubs | One heated rooftop outdoor pool + hot tub, cabanas, poolside Chill Bar | Outdoor pool and at least one hot tub; access to nearby outdoor pool noted |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site venues: Margaritaville Restaurant, Fins Bar & Chill, rooftop Chill Bar, Starbucks | One on-site restaurant (cabin listing) and self-catering kitchen in unit |
| Spa & wellness | St. Somewhere Spa — full-service day spa with treatments and salon services | Not published |
| Known for | Themed Margaritaville experience and direct access to The Island attractions | Cabin lodging managed by a local rental company near Gatlinburg attractions and trails |
| Parking | Self-parking and valet (fees often apply); check current policy | Free self-parking on site (limited spaces) |
| Room setup | Hotel rooms: Deluxe Room (1 King Bed), Standard Room (2 Queen Beds) | Studio (1 Bedroom) with kitchen, fireplace, private balcony/patio |
Margaritaville sits on The Island complex in Pigeon Forge, within walking distance of shops, rides and riverfront attractions.
Best if you want immediate access to Pigeon Forge attractions, shopping and evening shows.
Little Bear is a Jackson Mountain Rentals-managed cabin in Gatlinburg, placing you closer to park trailheads and Gatlinburg’s downtown.
Better for travelers who want a quieter mountain-base nearer to Gatlinburg and park access.
Margaritaville offers standard hotel rooms with island-themed finishes and two room types.
Choose Margaritaville for staffed hotel services and consistent room types with resort amenities.
Little Bear is an individually decorated Studio (1 Bedroom) cabin-style unit with a kitchen and private balcony or patio.
Pick Little Bear if you want a kitchen and a private cabin feel rather than hotel rooms.
Margaritaville provides multiple full-service dining and bar options on-site and immediate access to island dining.
Go here if you prefer multiple on-site dining choices and cocktail bars within walking distance.
Little Bear lists one on-site restaurant and a full kitchen in the unit for self-catering.
Good for travelers who want to cook some meals and still have a nearby restaurant option.
Margaritaville’s signature amenity is its rooftop heated pool deck with a hot tub, cabanas and the Chill Bar.
Margaritaville is for guests who want a resort-style pool experience with views of The Island.
Little Bear provides access to an outdoor pool and hot tub and generally focuses on cabin comforts.
Little Bear suits visitors who expect basic pool and hot-tub access as part of a cabin stay.
Margaritaville has a full-service day spa and regular entertainment on The Island.
Choose Margaritaville for spa treatments, fitness access and easy nightlife options at The Island.
Little Bear emphasizes a quieter cabin stay; dedicated spa services on site are not published.
Pick Little Bear if you want a low-key evening environment rather than on-site spa and bar scenes.

Margaritaville — rooftop pool deck, full spa, multiple restaurants and staffed services.

Little Bear — private cabin unit with kitchen, fireplace and balcony/patio.

Margaritaville — steps from The Island complex and Pigeon Forge entertainment.

Little Bear — located in Gatlinburg with shorter drives to many park entrances and trails.
Little Bear (Gatlinburg) is generally closer to many park trailheads; Margaritaville is roughly 5–7 miles from the park entrance via Pigeon Forge.
Margaritaville is tailored to families with kid-friendly dining, a rooftop pool and on-site entertainment. Little Bear can suit families who prefer a cabin with a kitchen, but check unit capacity and policies before booking.
Little Bear includes a kitchen for self-catering. Margaritaville is a full-service hotel with on-site restaurants and no in-room kitchen; it does offer many nearby dining options.
Not published — the supplier listing does not show an on-site full-service spa for Little Bear.
Explore how Margaritaville Island Hotel stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·